Ukrainian air defence downs new jet-powered UAV armed with missile

Ukrainian air defence has shot down a new type of Russian jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle, the Geran-4, which was equipped with a launcher and an R-60 missile.

Source: 413th Raid Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces

Details: The statement notes that the appearance of the Geran-4 may cause confusion, as there have previously been reports of the jet-powered Geran-3 (the so-called jet-powered Shahed) and the Geran-5, which the Russians present as a missile-drone. However, these refer to different types and stages in the development of Russian jet-powered UAVs.

According to available data, the Geran-4 is a development of the Geran-3. Both types of jet-powered UAVs are currently being used on a limited basis.

Among the main differences of the Geran-4 is a higher cruising speed – estimated at up to 500 km/h, compared with a maximum of 330-350 km/h for the Geran-3, which previously allowed such targets to be intercepted even by anti-aircraft drones.

It is also noted that the Geran-4 received an engine with twice the power and optimised aerodynamic contours, which enabled the increase in speed. The flight range of this UAV is estimated at up to 850 km, whereas the Geran-3 did not exceed 600 km.

The drone's take-off weight is about 450 kg, with a warhead weighing up to 50 kg. The possibility of using a Su-25 as a carrier platform is also claimed.

The Raid regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces notes that Russia's jet-powered UAVs are still being employed in a limited manner and will not demonstrate their full effect in the coming winter.

"However, by the winter of 2026-2027, the enemy may use jet-powered UAVs on a large scale as a cheap analogue to cruise missiles," the military said.

The regiment said that Ukraine has its own similar drones, including Palianytsia and Bars, which makes it possible to impose initiative on the Russians in this segment.

Meanwhile, radio technology specialist Serhii Beskrestnov, known by the alias Flash, notes that in recent days a "Shahed with a missile" has been shot down every day – specifically with an R-60 missile.

However, the authors of the Telegram channel Polkovnyk HSh claim that this is still a Geran-2 with a missile, "just without a warhead, so a slightly different nose was installed". The channel analyses open sources on the war, regularly publishing intelligence data, analysis of fragments of equipment and UAVs, as well as details on new models of Russian weapons and drones.

As Oboronka previously reported, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine published the design, components and a list of cooperating companies involved in the production of the Russian Geran-2 UAV of the "E" series, equipped with an R-60 aircraft missile.

DIU describes the likely principle of missile use as transmitting images from cameras mounted on the drone to an operator via a mesh modem. If a Ukrainian aircraft or helicopter appears within the engagement zone, the operator sends a command to the missile's automation unit to launch. After launch, the R-60's infrared homing head independently locks onto the target.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!